Our Organic Allotment
Will
In 2018 I completed the RHS level II qualification in horticulture, after changing career in 2016 to become a gardener. That decision had been based on a hunch that I would enjoy it. It turned out I was right - since then my love of nature and all things green has continued, with a desire to learn more about organic growing and the wildlife found in gardens.
Julia
Hello and welcome to our organic plot! As a professional gardener of some 16 years now, I've been more and more drawn to growing organically. Working in harmony with nature can give us all the opportunity to create something wonderfully diverse and beautiful.
First Days
Day one
Day one
Day one
It's Saturday, 24th March 2018 and today Will and I picked up the keys to our new allotment. It feels a bit like cheating at the moment, we've inherited a well cared for plot - just a few brambles, nettles and bindweed to tackle and a bit of couch grass has popped up since its previous owner left it to take on a bigger plot.
Day two
Day one
Day one
Sunday was the first day this month that has been suitable for digging, so we thought we'd better get straight to it. The plan is for our plot to be completely organic. There are bound to be disasters, but we hope for triumphs too.
Digging
Management turns up...
Management turns up...
To manage this plot according to organic principles we will need to keep digging to a minimum (a good enough reason for organic gardening in itself)! However, initially we need to get rid of perennial weeds and get to know the general condition of the soil.
Management turns up...
Management turns up...
Management turns up...
Its not long before we get a visit from the allotment cat.
May 2018
6th May
After gently digging the plot over and removing perennial weeds , we've used locally supplied wood chip to make paths. The paths divide the plot up into beds that are narrow enough for us to reach over so that we don't walk on the soil.
Seed Sowing
We've sown some flower seeds around the edges of the plot - partly because they will look nice, but also because they will attract beneficial insects. Also, we've sown two green manure crops - Phacelia (germinating already - see pic on left) and Crimson Clover. Both the Clover and the Phacelia should attract bees.
More on Seed Sowing
Paper Pot Maker
We want to minimise our use of plastic so using a paper pot maker seems like a good idea.
Paper Pots
Being biodegradable, we will be able to plant the paper pots straight into the soil without disturbing the seedlings.
Seedlings
Its working so far...
June 2018 - Planting Out...
French Beans
Beetroot
...And Growing on
Not everything is doing well...
Rocket has been nibbled by flea beetle
...but the French Beans are looking great
Beautiful Beetroot
We've been harvesting young beetroot leaves. They make a great salad crop.
Phacelia
Phacelia is usually grown as a green manure. We've heard that it has lovely blue flowers that are very attractive to bees.
Undercropping
We are having some very hot dry weather at the moment. Phacelia seedlings are being used to cover the soil around the Perpetual Spinach to help retain the moisture in the soil. They will have to be pulled out when they get too big.
More on green manure
Phacelia...
This green manure is covering the ground where nothing else is growing. While it is there it is protecting the soil from erosion and can later be composted, used as a mulch or dug in to return nutrients to the soil.
...it really does have lovely flowers
...and is very attractive to bees
Crimson Clover
Another green manure, also attractive to pollinators. Crimson clover is a member of the legume family. Legumes have symbiotic root bacteria that help them fix nitrogen from the air.
Biodiversity
Growing flowers
Its lovely to see flowers on the plot - but not just for us...
Calendula
...they attract beneficial insects, while also distracting pests from our crops
Rocket
Even just letting some rocket go to seed attracts pollinating hoverflies whose larvae eat large quantities of aphids.
Composting
Temporary compost bin
We really want to get going on making our own compost - so we've made a temporary compost bin with bamboo canes, chicken wire and cardboard.
Our first harvests
5th June
Our first french bean!
11th June
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18th June
Think we might get a courgette glut...well, if we do, we'll be able to freeze enough ratatouille to see us through winter ...
25th June
Our first meal made from allotment grown vegetables. We even used the flea beetle nibbled rocket...made it into pesto...it was delicious
2nd July
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5th August
We didn't have a clue what these little hatchlings were on our french beans. It turned out that they were Southern Green Shield Bugs, and quite partial to french beans. Not to be confused with Common Green Shield Bugs, which apparently, cause no damage at all.
us
We found time to just enjoy our plot
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okay so there's been a few bugs...
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...but we've enjoyed every minute of our first year
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18th August
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11th August
How did we not notice this one?
11th November. Clearing the plot
We have left as much as possible in or on the ground. It will protect the soil over the winter and provide shelter for insects (which will provide food for birds). The courgettes have, however, finally succumbed to powdery mildew so will be taken away, not added to our allotment compost.